Method of treating skin disorders with high-strength tretinoin

ABSTRACT

Various skin disorders, excluding acne are treated by topical application to the skin of a tretinoin-containing composition including tretinoin in a dermatologically acceptable vehicle at such a concentration and applied in such a way as to induce desquamation of the skin to ameliorate the disorder. Preferably the compositions contain greater than 0.1 weight percent tretinoin, and more preferably at least 0.2 weight percent. The vehicle is preferably a solvent for the tretinoin, such as an alcohol/glycol or hydroalcoholic vehicle, but it is also possible to apply the tretinoin in a non-solvent vehicle such as emulsifying or suspending the tretinoin in a cream, dressing, gel, ointment or liquid polymer. The treatment achieves rapid amelioration of skin disorders such as photodamaged skin, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, premalignant cancers, wrinkles, superficial scarring, epidermal atrophy and atypia, and keratosis pilaris by daily or every other day application for about one to two months. Thereafter, the high strength applications may be tapered and the treated skin maintained with more conventional lower concentration compositions.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. No. 60/046,070 filed May 9, 1997.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to the treatment of various skin disorders with high-strength tretinoin (also known as vitamin A acid or all-trans retinoic acid). More particularly, the invention is directed to the treatment of skin disorders, especially of human facial skin, with amounts of tretinoin sufficient to induce desquamation of the skin to ameliorate the disorder.

Caucasians who have had a good deal of sun exposure in childhood will show the following gross cutaneous alternations in adult life: wrinkling, leatheriness, yellowing, looseness, roughness, dryness, mottling (hyperpigmentation) and various premalignant growths (often subclinical). These changes are most prominent in light-skinned persons who burn easily and tan poorly. The baleful effects of sunlight are cumulative, increasing with time and often referred to as "photoaging". Although the anatomic degradation of the skin is most advanced in the elderly, the destructive effects of excessive sun exposure are already evident by the second decade. Serious microscopic alterations of the epidermis and dermis occur decades before these become clinically visible. Wrinkling, yellowing, leatheriness, loss of elasticity are very late changes.

Retinoids (e.g., Vitamin A and its derivatives) are substances which are known to have a broad spectrum of biological activity. More specifically, these substances affect cell growth, differentiation and proliferation. Retinoids affect the differentiation, maintenance, and proliferation of many types of cells whether they are of ectodermal, endodermal or mesodermal origin; whether they are epithelial, fibroblastic or mesenchymal; or whether they are neoplastic, preneoplastic or non-neoplastic. Retinoids have found clinical utility in the treatment of severe cystic acne, psoriasis, and other disorders of keratinization. Possible uses of retinoids are being explored in the prophylaxis and treatment of cancer. For a recent review of developments in the uses of retinoids, see Orfanos et al., "Current Use and Future Potential Role of Retinoids in Dermatology," Drugs 53:358-380 (March 1997).

Other older reviews of the uses of retinoids in research and clinical medicine can be found in the publication of a symposium held in Geneva: J. H Saurat, Editor, "Retinoids: New Trends in Research and Therapy", Karger Publishing Co. (1985); Pawson, B. A. et al., "Retinoids at the Threshold: Their Biological Significance and Therapeutic Potential", Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 25:1269-1277 (1982); and Thomas, J. R., et al., "The Therapeutic Uses of Topical Tretinoin", Journal of American Academy of Dermatology 4:505-516 (1981).

It is known to use tretinoin topically for treatment of acne as set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,729,568 of A. M. Kligman. That patent discloses the treatment of acne with tretinoin in alcohol/glycol vehicles at concentrations sufficient to cause irritation including inflammation and peeling, such concentrations ranging as high as 0.5 weight percent, preferably 0.05 to 0.25 weight percent.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,603,146; 4,877,805 and 4,888,342 of A. M. Kligman disclose long term methods for treating sun-damaged human skin topically with low concentrations of tretinoin and other retinoids in an emollient vehicle, such amounts of retinoids being essentially non-irritating to the skin. This treatment requires periodic applications for several months before improvement is achieved, and this factor often leads to the treated individual discontinuing treatment before positive results are obtained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the method of the present invention, skin disorders, excluding acne, are treated by topical application to the affected skin of a tretinoin-containing composition comprising tretinoin in a dermatologically acceptable vehicle, wherein the concentration of the tretinoin in the composition and the topical application are effective to induce desquamation of the skin to ameliorate the disorder. The concentraiton of the tretinoin in the composition is preferably greater than 0.1 weight percent, and more preferably at least about 0.2 weight percent tretinoin.

The vehicle may be a solvent for tretinoin, such as ethanol, isopropanol, acetone, diethyl ether, propylene gylcol, polyethylene glycol and hydroalcoholic solvents, with mixtures of ethanol and polyethylene glycol being preferred. Is also possible to emulsify or suspend the tretinoin in non-solvent vehicles, such as creams, dressings, gels, ointments and liquid polymers.

The tretinoin containing composition may be applied to facial skin, forearms, hands, upper chest, upper back, neck and scalp, in particular, or wherever the skin disorder is externally visible and of concern to the patient being treated. The composition is initially applied to the skin on the average of from about every day up to about one month to every other day for up to about two months. After the initial application regiment, the treatment may be tapered off to a lower concentration composition containing a retinoid for maintenance of the treated skin.

In its broadest aspects, the treatment of the present invention may be applied to skin affected with various disorders, including photodamaged skin, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, premalignant skin cancers including actinic keratoses, wrinkles, superficial scarring, epidermal atrophy and atypia, and keratosis pilaris. However, the present invention is directed primarily to treatment of aging changes in the skin by topical application of high-strength tretinoin in an alcoholic carrier or other suitable vehicle. Photoaging skin changes (sun damage) first become evident clinically in young to middle aged adults and are most evident in exposed portions of the body, particularly facial skin. Certain anatomic alterations associated with photoaging can be treated in a relatively short time using this invention, resulting in improvement in the appearance of the skin. Such skin abnormalities are corrected and modified to the extent that the structure and function of the skin acquires the characteristics of younger (undamaged) skin. This invention is particularly useful for providing rapid improvement in the treated skin, and such improvement can be maintained afterwards through conventional skin treatment programs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Tretinoin is used as the active ingredient in this invention. Tretinoin is also known as vitamin A acid or all-trans retinoic acid (as distinguished from 13-cis retinoic acid, also known as isotretinoin, which is not used in this invention). There are preferably no other active ingredients in the tretinoin compositions used in this invention, particularly no other active ingredients or components with known activity in treating skin disorders by chemical skin peeling, e.g., alpha hydroxy acids, salicylic acid, trichloroacetic acid, resorcinol and the like.

The tretinoin used in this invention is applied to the skin being treated in a composition or formulation suitable for topical application, i.e., directly dabbing or spreading on the epidermis. The tretinoin composition includes a carrier or vehicle, preferably a liquid vehicle that is a solvent for tretinoin and is dermatologically acceptable. The term "dermatologically acceptable" means suitable for use in contact with skin tissue without undue toxicity, incompatibility, instability or adverse reaction with the skin or the active ingredient, i.e., tretinoin. Tretinoin is substantially insoluble in aqueous vehicles. Therefore, organic solvent vehicles are preferred as the liquid carrier. Alcoholic vehicles such as ethanol and isopropanol are preferred, with ethanol being most preferred. Other suitable solvent vehicles to form a solution of tretinoin include, for example, acetone, diethyl ether, liquid glycols or glycol derivatives, and hydroalcoholic vehicles.

The solvent vehicle may also be a mixture of such components. A particularly suitable solvent vehicle carrier in this regard comprises an alcohol selected from the group consisting of ethanol and isopropanol and a suitable liquid glycol or glycol derivative. Examples of suitable glycols are liquid polyethylene glycols, such as polyethylene glycol 400, propylene glycol and liquid polypropylene glycols. Of these, polyethylene glycols and propylene glycols are preferred. Examples of suitable liquid glycol derivatives include ethylene glycol ethers, such as mono-, di- and triethylene glycol monomethyl ethers and mono- di- and triethylene glycol monoethyl ethers.

A preferred solvent vehicle for this invention comprises of from about 20 to 80% by weight of ethanol or isopropanol and the balance being a liquid glycol, preferably polyethylene glycol.

Instead of a solvent carrier, the tretinoin may be suspended or emulisified in a non-solvent vehicle, such as any of various formulations known or available in the art, including creams, dressings, gels, ointments and liquid polymers. Whatever the vehicle or carrier selected for the tretinoin, it is important that it be one which promotes good contact with and penetration into the skin, not only into the epidermis, but preferably also into the dermis.

The tretinoin concentration in the vehicle is such that the topical application will cause desquamation of the skin, including superficial and/or subclinical peeling. The tretinoin concentration is preferably greater than 0.1% by weight, e.g., at least about 0.12% by weight, and more preferably at least about 0.2% by weight tretinoin in the vehicle. Concentrations greater than about 0.3 to 0.5% by weight are unnecessary and not preferred. A particularly preferred formulation contains about 0.25% by weight tretinoin in a liquid carrier comprising ethanol and polyethylene glycol 400. These concentrations of tretinoin are percent by weight based on the total weight of the formulation. Such concentration are referred to herein as "high-strength" in contrast to lower strength concentrations, i.e. up to about 0.1% by weight, which for most people will not cause intensive inflammation and/or peeling.

The topical tretinoin formulations of this invention are preferably solutions in which the tretinoin is completely dissolved. The formulations may also contain other dermatologically acceptable adjuvants, such as antioxidants or other formulation stabilizers that provide increased shelf life, thickening agents, and other conventional skin care formulation additives, e.g., sunscreens or sun blocks.

The tretinoin composition of this invention is initially applied to the skin to be treated either daily, or every other day or every third day, with single applications every day or every second day being preferred. For treatment of facial skin, the composition is applied to the entire face, i.e., the forehead, cheeks, around crows feet areas, the lower eyelids, the nose, the upper lip and the chin. Other areas of the skin, such as dorsal forearms, hands, upper chest, upper back, neck, and scalp, may be treated in the same way as facial skin. Preferably, the composition is applied at night prior to the individual going to bed. Application of the tretinoin composition may be made by conventional means, e.g., a cotton-tipped applicator, a gauze pad, or the like. After each application of the tretinoin composition, the composition is allowed to dry on the skin by at least any partial evaporation of the vehicle.

During the initial 1-2 weeks of treatment, the high concentration of tretinoin present in the composition results in an intensive inflammation or irritation to the skin that is nevertheless generally at an acceptable or tolerable level for most individuals, when the preferred application rate of every night or every other night is used. The skin irritation is observable as a flushing or diffuse reddening of the skin on which the tretinoin formulation is applied. For most individuals, erythema and desquamation (peeling) develop in about 7-10 days after initiation of treatment and subside in about another 7-10 days. Thus, in most cases, depending on the individual treated and the concentration and/or frequency of application, a superficial chemical skin peel, as well as subclinical peeling, is effected by the tretinoin treatment.

A bland moisturizer may be used during the time of peeling, typically over the first two weeks of treatment, which makes the irritation and peeling that occurs during this period more tolerable to the treated individuals. For individuals with more sensitivity to the irritating sensation, application of the tretinoin composition may be made every three days instead of the preferred application every one or two days. For individuals with more extensive photodamage, particularly elderly individuals who typically have a dampened inflammatory response, the tretinoin composition may be applied daily, rather than every other day.

After the initial two to three weeks of treatment, the tretinoin composition may be applied daily since the irritation response subsides for most treated individuals. The treatment is continued for a total period of time of about 1-2 months, preferably about 4-6 weeks. Generally after about 3-4 weeks, the treated individuals report significant improvement in the treated skin such as smoothing, more suppleness and softness to the skin, diminution of fine lines, decreased sallowness (yellow color) and more vascularity as evidenced by a rosier glow to the skin. These results may be corroborated by photographic analysis of the treated individual both pre- and post-treatment. Treated individuals typically find that makeup (foundation) is easier to apply since the dry surface of photodamaged skin has been eliminated and replaced with an increase in skin moisturization, e.g., as measured by conductance using a Novameter.

Examination of skin biopsy specimens by histology confirms that reversal of photodamage is seen early in the course of the treatment of this invention. Such skin improvement includes normalization of epidermal atypia, thinning of the stratum corneum, acanthosis of the stratum germinativum, increased rete ridge patterns, dispersal of pigment granules, increased collagen fiber synthesis in the papillary dermis, and increase vascularity, as well as improved skin elasticity and increased skin moisturization.

After completion of the treatment according to the method of this invention, the improvement in skin condition and appearance may be maintained by use of conventional skin treatment protocols, e.g., treatment with low strength (0.05%) tretinoin emollient creams, or other retinoid compositions, such as retinol or isotretinoin formulations.

The present invention is not only useful for treating individuals with photodamaged or photoaged skin, but also may be used with individuals who have other skin disorders including rosacea, hyperpigmentation (melasma), actinic keratoses, premalignant skin cancers (including actinic keratoses) wrinkles, superficial scarring, epidermal atrophy and/or atypia, and keratosis pilaris.

The tretinoin treatment of this invention is surprisingly well tolerated by individuals being treated and results in rapid improvement of skin condition and appearance. Fine lines and wrinkles are reduced, blotchiness is diminished, and rough scaling is replaced by a smooth skin surface. Increased skin firmness is evident by palpation, and this may be confirmed by physical measurements of elasticity. The increased smoothness and improved texture of the skin that results may be confirmed by Silflo replicas. The increased hygroscopicity and water holding capacity in the stratum corneum of the treated skin may be confirmed by impedance measurements using a Novameter. The cosmetic benefits that result from the treatment method of this invention are noteworthy for treated individuals whose skin initially exhibits fine line wrinkles, mottled hyperpigmentation, skin roughness, and other symptoms associated with photoaging and photodamage.

The invention will now be illustrated in more detail by reference to the following specific, non-limiting examples:

EXAMPLES 1 AND 2

Two studies were performed on groups of women ranging in age from approximately 35 to 60 years of age who exhibited signs of photodamage. The women were screened by dermatologists and enrolled in the study provided they met commonly accepted criteria for photoaging. Subjects were instructed on how to apply a solution of 0.25% tretinoin (tretinoin), in a 50:50 mixture of 95% ethanol/polyethylene glycol 400 vehicle, to the skin. These applications were performed by the subjects at home following a demonstration at the laboratory. Application was performed using cotton tip applicators from which the solution was applied to the entire face. The solution was applied at night after cleansing the face with a mild cleanser.

Two groups of women were studied, in which the first consisted of 16 women, and the second group consisted of 24 women. Several women were unable to make all scheduled visits and were therefore not included in the data presented herein. None of the women dropped out of the study due to irritation, and in fact the regimen was well tolerated. Initially, the solution was applied every other night. The frequency of application was thereafter increased to every night as they became acclimatized to the solution, typically about two weeks after the treatment was initiated. There is a delay of several days before peeling and erythema begin, and this continues for approximately 10 to 14 days, after which, in most subjects the peeling stops. Treatment was continued for a total of 4 to 6 weeks for the women in each group.

In Table 1 there is provided an assessment of two dermatologists of photographs taken of 33 of the subjects at both pre- and post-treatment. An overall clinical impression (Global Improvement) takes into account a variety of skin parameters of photoaging including, fine wrinkling, coarse wrinkling, roughness, sallowness (which refers to the yellow color due to solar elastosis), looseness, and pigment. Approximately 85% of the treated subjects had global improvement. Fine line improvement was seen in approximately 75% of the treated subjects; and a decrease in hyperpigmentation was seen in approximately 15% of the subjects (some of the study subjects did not exhibit significant hyperpigmentation when enrolled, and this provides an explanation as to why this number in Table 1 is believed to be artificially low).

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         FACIAL SKIN IMPROVEMENT AFTER 1 MONTH                                            Number of subjects: 33                                                                       1st dermatologist                                                                           2nd dermatologist                                 ______________________________________                                         global improvement                                                                              28/33*       28/33*                                             fineline improvement 23/33 26/33                                               decreased hyperpigmentation  5/33  5/33                                      ______________________________________                                          *only 5 subjects had significant hyperpigmentation to start              

Subjective assessments (self assessment by the study subjects) were obtained and demonstrated that most of the subjects were pleased and almost all of the subjects felt that their skin was smoother and softer, as compared with no treatment. Only 1 out of 40 subjects reported no change in her facial skin following treatment. In each of the subjects, a rosy glow was observed after treatment, as compared with a yellow sallow appearance to the skin prior to treatment. The post-treatment skin of the subjects also exhibited more turgor to the touch and thus was less loose than prior to treatment. The post-treatment skin appeared shinier, and this was attributable to improved surface smoothness which increases light reflectance.

Punch biopsies were obtained from the cheek of several subjects and processed for histology with hematoxylin eosin and special stains. Compared with pretreatment biopsies, the biopsies exhibited typical changes, as follows.

In the epidermis this includes: a thickening of the overall epidermal thickness due to acanthosis of the stratum germanitivum; thinning of the stratum corneum; an increased rete ridge pattern and dispersal of basal layer pigment granules; and atypia is normalized and atrophy and dysplasia were corrected.

In the dermis this includes: stimulation of fibroblast proliferation and metabolism with resulting increased collagen synthesis and a papillary dermal grenz zone found epidermally; new blood vessel formation with well-developed adventitial cells; and special stains reveal that solar elastosis is less severe after treatment, with some elastic fibers becoming clearly detectable instead of in amorphous pattern.

The observed histologic changes are achieved in the present invention within a relatively short time, a few weeks, after initiation of he treatment, as contrasted with lower strength Retin-A regimens in which such changes are observed only after many months of treatment.

Table 2 comprises primary data obtained from subjects who were analyzed by Silflo replica analysis for fine lines and wrinkles pre- and post-treatment with 0.25% tretinoin as described above. Computer analysis reveals a statistically significant reduction in total line length in all subjects. This correlates with the clinical assessments and the photographic assessments of the study subjects. Skin hydration measurements obtained from nine subjects, based on pre- and post-treatment Novameter readings, are presented in Table 3 below. These measurements reveal a statistically significant increase in hydration of the skin post-treatment. Table 4 below presents measurements of skin extensibility and elasticity from nine subjects, obtained using a Cutometer. These measurements reveal a statistically significant increase in both extensibility and elasticity.

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________     ELASTICITY BY CUTOMETER                                                                    DISTENSIBILITY                                                                          GROSS ELASTICITY                                                                         ELASTIC FUNCTION                                SUBJ. ID    R0       R2        R5                                              INIT. NO.   PRE  POST                                                                               PRE  POST PRE   POST                                      __________________________________________________________________________     AS    1     0.440                                                                               0.540                                                                              0.568                                                                               0.556                                                                               0.548 0.475                                       AS 1 0.460 0.470 0.630 0.638 0.531 0.576                                       ED 2 0.330 0.380 0.636 0.579 0.478 0.519                                       ED 2 0.330 0.450 0.485 0.622 0.417 0.429                                       MM 3 0.460 0.360 0.674 0.694 0.472 0.640                                       MM 3 0.330 0.430 0.697 0.767 0.696 0.529                                       DH 4 0.320 0.370 0.844 0.757 0.720 0.500                                       DH 4 0.340 0.360 0.676 0.806 0.538 0.567                                       JD 5 0.300 0.360 0.467 0.583 0.250 0.423                                       JD 5 0.280 0.480 0.464 0.604 0.450 0.562                                       HG 6 0.210 0.230 0.571 0.478 0.533 0.600                                       HG 6 0.230 0.340 0.478 0.647 0.533 0.462                                       RY 7 0.300 0.320 0.600 0.594 0.565 0.609                                       RY 7 0.380 0.430 0.579 0.651 0.481 0.529                                       SK 8 0.240 0.280 0.583 0.786 0.389 0.652                                       SK 8 0.270 0.320 0.593 0.844 0.450 0.640                                       AP 9 0.600 0.610 0.450 0.672 0.186 0.574                                       AP 9 0.480 0.510 0.458 0.510 0.273 0.500                                     MEAN>       0.350                                                                               0.402                                                                              0.581                                                                               0.655                                                                               0.473 0.544                                       SD>  0.102 0.096 0.104 0.103 0.138 0.071                                       Variance>  0.0104 0.0092 0.0109 0.0107 0.0190 0.0050                           Observations>  18 18 18 18 18 18                                               Pearson Correlation>   0.807  0.496  0.060                                     df>   17  17  17                                                               t Stat>   -3.586  -3.019  -1.992                                               P(T<=t) one-tail>   0.001  0.004  0.031                                        t Critical one-tail>   1.740  1.740  1.740                                     P(T<=t) two-tail>   0.002  0.008  0.063                                        t Critical two-tail>   2.110  2.110  2.110                                   __________________________________________________________________________

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                         SKIN HYDRATION BEFORE AND AFTER TREATMENT                                                      HYDRATION (DPM)                                                SUBJ.     ID        PRE-       POST-                                             INIT. NO. TREATMENT TREATMENT                                                ______________________________________                                         AS        1         140        172                                               ED 2 119 139                                                                   MM 3 99 137                                                                    DH 4 111 111                                                                   JD 5 101 120                                                                   HG 6 115 167                                                                   RY 7 125 144                                                                   SK 8 104 126                                                                   AP 9 102 122                                                                 MEAN>           113        138                                                   SD> 14 21                                                                      Variance> 182 436                                                              Observations> 9 9                                                              Pearson Correlation>  0.719                                                    df>  8                                                                         t Stat>  -5.0734                                                               P(T<=t) one-tail>  0.0005                                                      t Critical one-tail>  1.8595                                                   P(T<=t) two-tail>  0.0010                                                      t Critical two-tail>  2.3060                                                 ______________________________________                                    

                                      TABLE 4                                      __________________________________________________________________________     REPLICA LINE ANALYSIS         RAHU596                                                      NUMBER OF LINES                                                                          MEAN LENGTH                                                                            TOTAL LINE LENGTH                                SUBJ. ID    PRE POST  PRE                                                                               POST PRE  POST                                        INIT. NO.   TREATMENT TREATMENT                                                                              TREATMENT                                        __________________________________________________________________________     AS    1     308 277   0.553                                                                             0.531                                                                               170  147                                           ED 2 489 426 0.669 0.675 327 288                                               MM 3 402 384 0.895 0.741 360 284                                               DH 4 387 299 0.819 0.871 317 260                                               JD 5 387 414 0.927 0.863 359 357                                               HG 6 243 130 0.634 0.457 154 59                                                RY 7 411 234 0.713 0.535 293 125                                               SK 8 320 372 0.810 0.492 259 183                                             MEAN>       368 317   0.753                                                                             0.646                                                                               280  213                                           SD>   75 102 0.131 0.166 80 100                                                Variance>  5699  103692 0.017 0.027 6401 10047                                 Observations>   8 8 8 8 8 8                                                    Pearson Correlation>   0.679  06876  0.863                                     df>   7  7  7                                                                  t Stat>   1.937  2.486  3.717                                                  P(T<=t) one-tail>   0.047  0.021  0.004                                        t Critical one-tail>   18950  1.895  1.895                                     P(T<=t) two-tail>   0.094  0.042  0.007                                        t Critical two-tail>   2.365  2.365  2.365                                   __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLES 3 AND 4

Two well-known dermatologists having extensive experience in treating actinic keratoses conducted clinical tests using the method of the present invention. Both dermatologists live in extremely sunny areas, where the prevalence of keratoses is not only high, but also severe and extensive, with multiple lesions in all stages of development. These disseminate forms respond only partially or poorly to conventional treaments such as 5-fluorouracil. Moreover, the conversation of squamous cell cancer is much greater than in other areas, with a potential for metastatic spread.

Both dermatologists were requested to pick extensive, severe cases of actinic keratoses which are resistant to other treatment. Each dermatologist followed our prescribed regimen of having the patient apply the tretinoin-containing solution to the entire face every other day for two weeks, increasing to daily applications for a total period of one month. The composition applied was a 0.25 percent by weight solution of tretinoin in a 50:50 mixture of 95% ethanol/polyethylene glycol 400.

Both dermatologists reported impressive results. After intensive inflammation during the treatment period, visible keratoses had largely disappeared within two weeks after the last treatment. So far, the follow-up period is too short to estimate the rate of recurrence. However, both dermatologists emphasized that the beneficial effects of tretinoin in removing actinic keratoses was far greater that could be achieved by twice daily applications of 5-fluorouracil for one month.

These results suggest that high strength tretinoin may also be effective in treating multiple basal and squamous cell tumors which develop on the photodamaged forearms of immunosuppressed patients who have received renal transplants. Myriads of warts also develop in these patients. One such patient has been treated for five weeks with a striking elmination of neoplastic growths.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

We claim:
 1. A method for treating a skin disorder selected from the group consisting of photodamaged skin, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, premalignant skin cancers, wrinkles, superficial scarring, epidermal atrophy and atypia, and keratosis pilaris, comprising topically applying to skin to be treated a tretinoin-containing composition comprising tretinoin in a dermatologically acceptable vehicle, the concentration of tretinoin in the composition and the frequency of topical application being effective to induce peeling of the treated skin during about the first two weeks of treatment and amelioration of the disorder within about one to two months.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the composition contains greater than 0.1 weight percent tretinoin.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the composition contains at least about 0.2 weight percent tretinoin.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the composition is a solution of tretinoin in a vehicle selected from the group consisting of ethanol, isopropanol, acetone, diethyl ether, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and hydroalcoholic solvents.
 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the vehicle comprises a mixture of ethanol and polyethylene glycol.
 6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of allowing the applied composition to dry on the skin by at least partial evaporation of the vehicle.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the treated skin is human skin selected from the group consisting of facial skin, forearms, hands, upper chest, upper back, neck and scalp.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the composition is intially applied to the skin on the average of from about every day for up to about one month to every other day for up to about two months.
 9. The method according to claim 8 wherein after the initial application, treatment is tapered off to a lower concentration composition containing a retinoid for maintenance of the treated skin.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the skin disorder to be treated is photodamaged skin. 